Isotopic Landscapes in Bioarchaeology

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This work critically examines the concept of isotopic landscapes ("isoscapes") in bioarchaeology and explores their future research applications, particularly focusing on cremated finds, which have been largely overlooked due to osteological challenges and complex mineralogy. For the first time, data mining methods are employed to enhance this research. The chapters stem from an international workshop supported by the German Science Foundation and the Centre of Advanced Studies at Ludwig-Maximilian-University in Munich. Isotopic landscapes serve as essential tracers for monitoring matter flow within geo/ecological systems, reflecting temporally and spatially defined stable isotopic patterns in geological and ecological samples. Stable isotope analyses of nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, strontium, and lead are commonly used in bioarchaeology to reconstruct aspects such as biodiversity, palaeodiet, palaeoecology, palaeoclimate, migration, and trade. The effectiveness of stable isotopic ratios relies on solid, testable hypotheses and, crucially, on collaborative efforts among scientists from both natural and social sciences. Utilizing multi-isotopic tracers creates isotopic patterns with multiple dimensions that can accurately characterize a find, but their interpretation necessitates modern data mining techniques.